Kia Recalls 2024 Tellurides for Sudden Engine Failures

Kia America  (Kia) is recalling 2024 Telluride vehicles because the engine valve springs may break while driving, which can result in a sudden loss of power and possibly create a hole in the engine block, which is a fire hazard. Abnormal engine noise, check engine light illumination, and a rough running engine are warning signs that the driver may notice before the engine fails. Tellurides are made in Georgia at a non-unionized plant.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released the required recall filing. Kia told NHTSA that “The engine valve springs may break while driving due to fatigue cracking as a result of damage to the springs during manufacture by the supplier. A broken valve spring may result in a loss of motive power. In rare cases, a hole in the engine block may occur due to a broken valve entering the combustion chamber.”

Kia also claimed that “engines installed in vehicles produced beginning on 12/11/2023 contain valves springs that were not damaged during manufacture and thus not susceptible to fatigue cracking. Vehicles produced from 12/7/2023 through 12/10/2023 that may be equipped with the recall component will be repaired at the plant before distribution to dealers. As a result, vehicles produced after 12/6/2023 are not included in the recall scope.”

Kia dealers will replace the engine sub-assembly, free of charge as required by US safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 5 April 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800 333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC296. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 24V077.